Salman Sagar, Sajad Shaheen launch counterattack on Srinagar MP; question his decision to quit and parliamentary performance
Srinagar| Nov, 03: A day after Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi announced his departure from the National Conference (NC), the party on Wednesday mounted a sharp counterattack, accusing the BJP of benefiting from the development and alleging that its “Operation Lotus” had succeeded in pushing the Srinagar MP out of the organisation.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Nawai Subah, NC legislators Salman Ali Sagar and Sajad Shaheen questioned Ruhullah’s decision to sever ties with the party, arguing that his grievances could have been addressed through internal discussions rather than a public confrontation.
Salman, MLA from Hazratbal, alleged that the BJP had long been attempting to weaken the National Conference and had now benefited from Ruhullah’s exit.
“I feel the BJP has succeeded in its Operation Lotus, particularly in pushing Aga Ruhullah Sahib out of the National Conference,” he said.
Referring to the departure of former NC leaders, including late Devender Singh Rana and Surjit Singh Salathia, Salman said the latest development should be seen in the wider political context of efforts to weaken the party in Jammu and Kashmir.
He maintained that the NC was a democratic organisation where members were free to question the leadership and express disagreement, but added that such differences should be addressed through established party forums.
Terming Ruhullah’s language against the party leadership unfortunate, Salman said political disagreements should be expressed with dignity and decorum.
He also questioned the MP’s engagement with the party organisation, asking how frequently he had visited the headquarters or approached party legislators to discuss his concerns and mobilise support on issues affecting the people.
Rejecting suggestions that Ruhullah’s departure would weaken the NC, Salman said the party’s strength rested on its ideology, collective leadership and public mandate rather than individual personalities.
“The party is bigger than individuals,” he maintained, asserting that voters had supported the NC to safeguard their political identity, rights and representation.
On the party’s political agenda, Salman said the NC remained committed to the restoration of special status and statehood, asserting that its position on Articles 370 and 35A had not changed.
He also defended the government’s handling of the reservation issue, saying the party had acknowledged concerns over the existing policy and incorporated corrective measures in its election manifesto.
According to Salman, a Cabinet sub-committee had examined the matter and submitted its report to the Cabinet in June 2025, following which it was forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor for consideration.
Questioning Ruhullah’s criticism of the government on the issue, Salman asked why similar questions had not been raised over the subsequent delay in the report’s consideration.
Meanwhile, Banihal MLA Sajad Shaheen accused Ruhullah of betraying the National Conference as well as the electorate that had voted for him on the party ticket.
Shaheen questioned the Srinagar MP’s parliamentary performance during his nearly two-year tenure, claiming that, apart from initiating a move seeking the impeachment of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, he had not undertaken any significant initiative in Parliament addressing the concerns of people in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also questioned Ruhullah’s criticism of the NC leadership, alleging that he had remained comparatively silent on the role of other political parties, particularly the PDP, in facilitating the BJP’s entry into the erstwhile state through its alliance.
Shaheen said the National Conference had historically fought for the rights and identity of Jammu and Kashmir and would continue its political struggle for the restoration of constitutional rights and special status.
Both legislators also objected to Ruhullah’s references to the sacrifices of martyrs, including Tufail Mattoo, saying such issues should not be used for political positioning.
Shaheen questioned why Ruhullah had not raised these concerns with similar intensity when he held important positions in the government and subsequently contested elections on the NC ticket.
On the possibility of further exits from the party, Salman said anyone choosing to associate with the BJP or advance its political agenda would ultimately face the judgement of the people.
The NC leaders maintained that the departure of an individual would not alter the party’s political course or its commitment to the electorate. For a page-one treatment, the strongest angle is the NC’s allegation that the BJP benefited from Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi’s departure, alongside the party’s attempt to project the exit as no threat to its organisational strength. The counter-allegations should remain clearly attributed to the two NC MLAs.
